Saturday, August 31, 2019
Gender: an Ambiguous Factor
Referencing the role that gender played in early twentieth century rural life made for an interesting character dynamic in this play. Susan Glaspellââ¬â¢s Trifles presents a murder mystery with a slightly twisted plot. The play itself, at first glance, seems simple enough. A man is murdered, his wife thought to be the murderer. An investigation is forged in their quaint farmhouse. However, the men are unable to find anything that leads to a motive. But then the twist! The women are able to solve the murder and choose not to share the findings with their husbands.What exactly hinders the investigation set forth by the men? A case can be made in gender differences. The mental approach of each sex determines everything. The dynamic between the women, their husbands, and the county attorney creates a mental divide that cannot be bridged. Inevitably, what appears to be a simple plot, seemingly filled with mere trifles, the end of the play quickly develops into something that is almost surreal. Within a casual conversation the women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, manage to recreate Minnie Wrightââ¬â¢s state of mind ââ¬â seemingly putting themselves through her last day in the farmhouse.In an article analyzing the play, Suzy Clarkson Holstein remarks that, ââ¬Å"the play represents a profound conflict between two models of perception and behaviorâ⬠(Holstein 282). On the whole, the men and women involved observed the identical information ââ¬â with the exception of the canary. However, minus the canary, the women were already reconstructing Minnieââ¬â¢s life with John Wright. In their reconstruction they are able to uncover and comprehend evidence that would seem like useless information to the formal investigation the men were conducting. The county attorney searching the Wrightsââ¬â¢ home cannot detect the significance in a loaf of bread left out of the breadbox, a kitchen table half wiped, a quilt in progress, and a missing pet canaryâ⬠(Marsh 201-02). These simple details prove to be the key to ending the mystery. Holsteinââ¬â¢s analysis goes on to mention the ââ¬Å"ultimate moral choiceâ⬠as presented to the women. Here she references, ââ¬Å"their way of knowing leads them not simply to knowledge; it also leads to the decision about how to act on that knowledgeâ⬠(Holstein 282). On the notion of morality alone, the reader must analyze several debates.What exactly is at stake here for these women? And, if they withhold information from the investigation, are they harming themselves? The men have been neglecting the observations of the women, even teasing them for their observations. Mr. Hale comments, ââ¬Å" Well, women are used to worrying over triflesâ⬠(Glaspell 938) and later, overhearing a conversation between the women, Sheriff Peters comments, ââ¬Å"They wonder if she was going to quilt it or just knot itâ⬠(Glaspell 941). Immediately after his remark the stage directions state, à ¢â¬Å"The men laugh, the women look abashedâ⬠(Glaspell 941).There isnââ¬â¢t even the slightest hint of spousal respect here! The men dismiss the thoughts of the women because they are merely women. They do not believe that they could be of any aid to the investigation at hand. Have the women compromised their morality when evading the truth with their husbands? The menââ¬â¢s perspective is completely regimented. Their tunnel vision approach seems to be a hindrance in the investigation. They are unable to come to any conclusions about Mrs. Wrightââ¬â¢s motive to kill her husband. In the final moments of dialogue, Mr.Henderson can be heard saying, ââ¬Å"No, Peters, itââ¬â¢s all perfectly clear except a reason for doing itâ⬠¦ If there was some definite thingâ⬠¦ a thing that would connect up with this strange way of doing it ââ¬â ââ¬Å" (Glaspell 945). Holsteinââ¬â¢s article in ââ¬Å"The Midwest Quarterlyâ⬠makes an interesting statement comparin g biological and cultural issues in regards to the way both parties observe the facts. ââ¬Å"Certainly, during the early part of the twentieth century, the duties and structures of womenââ¬â¢s lives would have predisposed them to approach a problem from a different angle than that of the menâ⬠(Holstein 288).This is evident in her mention of sex vs. gender and its implications. Sex, referring strictly to the biological, and gender, referring strictly to the cultural implications of gender roles in society. ââ¬Å"The men, Mann arguesâ⬠¦ strove to be first with a quick, firm answer. Women on the other hand valued cooperation and worked to interconnect, taking time to make up their mindsâ⬠(qtd. in Holstein 289). The juxtaposition of these two terms most always sparks an interesting debate. Some see them as one in the same, while others see them as two completely separate entities.The debate between sex and gender comes up often in the debate on transgender issues. à ¢â¬Å"Just as Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters understand well the hardships of the rural lifestyle they share with the accused Mrs. Wright, so Elle finds that the accused Mrs. Windham is a ââ¬Ëpeerââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ (Marsh 201). This statement draws parallels between Trifles and the 2001 film, Legally Blonde. In a 2005 article for ââ¬Å"Literature Film Quarterly,â⬠Kelly A. Marsh paired the message of sisterhood in the pages of Trifles with similar messages in a 21st century blockbuster hit.The similarities in these two works are uncanny and whether the parallels are intentional is unclear. Marsh explains, ââ¬Å" the key evidence in both cases is precisely the evidence that the men overlookâ⬠(Marsh 201). Parallels at many levels can be drawn from Glaspellââ¬â¢s text. The womenââ¬â¢s ability to uncover key points of evidence and solve this murder mystery speaks volumes to their characters, and, their husbandsââ¬â¢ inability to see things for what they really are. â⠬Å"The women in this play develop a highly differentiated and reflective moral schemaâ⬠(Holstein 288).They make conscious decisions to hide the evidence that solves the murder from the men. In the closing stage directions, Glaspell writes, ââ¬Å"Suddenly Mrs. Peters throws back quilt pieces and tries to put the box in the bag she is wearing. It is too big. Sound of a doorknob turning in the other room. Mrs. Hale snatches the box and puts it in the pocket of her big coatâ⬠(Glaspell 945). In this moment the women have overcome their husbands and shown that their mere trifles can indeed come in handy.
Friday, August 30, 2019
The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 13
Thirteen Breakfast Somehow, through the night, the residents of Pine Cove, especially those who had been withdrawing from antidepressants, found a satisfied calm had fallen over them. It wasn't that their anxiety was gone, but rather that it ran off their backs like warm rain off a naked toddler who has just dis-covered the splash and magic of mud. There was joy and sex and danger in the air ââ¬â and a euphoric need to share. Morning found many of them herding at the local restaurants for breakfast. Gathering together like wildebeests in the presence of a pride of lions, knowing instinctively that only one of them is going to fall to the fang: the one that is caught alone. Jenny Masterson had been waiting tables at H.P.'s Cafe for twelve years, and she couldn't remember a day out of the tourist season when it had been so busy. She moved between her tables like a dancer, pouring coffee and decaf, taking orders and delivering food, catching the odd request for more butter or salsa, and snatching up a dirty plate or glass on her way back to the window. No movement wasted, no customer ignored. She was good ââ¬â really good ââ¬â and sometimes that bugged the hell out of her. Jenny was just forty, slender and fair-skinned with killer legs and long auburn hair that she wore pinned up when she worked. With her husband Robert, she owned Brine's Bait, Tackle, and Fine Wines, but after three months of trying to work with the man she loved and after the birth of her daughter Amanda, who was five, she returned to waitressing to save her marriage and her sanity. Somewhere between college and today, she had become a bull moose waitress, and she never ceased to wonder how in the hell that had happened. How had she become the repository for local information bordering on gossip, and how had she become so damn good at picking up her customers' conversations, and following them as she moved around the restaurant? Today the restaurant was full of talk about Mikey Plotznik, who had disappeared along his paper route the day before. There was talk of the search and speculation on the kid's fate. At a few of her two-tops were seated couples who seemed intent on reliving their sexual adventures from the night before and ââ¬â if the pawing and fawning were any indication ââ¬â were going to resume again after breakfast. Jenny tried to tune them out. There was a table of her old-guy coffee drinkers, who were trading misinformation on politics and lawn care; at the counter a couple of construction workers intent on putting in a rare Saturday's work read the paper over bacon and eggs; and over in the corner, Val Riordan, the local shrink, was scribbling notes on a legal pad at a table all by herself. That was unusual. Dr. Val didn't normally make appearances in Pine Cove during the day. Stranger than that, Estelle Boyet, the seascape painter, was having her tea with a Black gentleman who looked as if he would jump out of his skin at the slightest touch. Jenny heard some commotion coming from the register and turned to see her busgirl arguing with Molly Michon, the Crazy Lady. Jenny made a beeline for the counter. ââ¬Å"Molly, you're not supposed to be in here,â⬠Jenny said calmly but firmly. Molly had been eighty-sixed for life after she had attacked H.P.'s espresso machine. ââ¬Å"I just need to cash this check. I need to get some money to buy medicine for a sick friend.â⬠The busgirl, a freshman at Pine Cove High, bolted into the kitchen, tossing ââ¬Å"I told herâ⬠over her shoulder as she went. Jenny looked at the check. It was from the Social Security Administration and it was above the amount she was allowed to accept. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry, Molly, I can't do it.â⬠ââ¬Å"I have photo ID.â⬠Molly pulled a videotape out of her enormous handbag and plopped it on the counter. There was a picture of a half-naked woman tied between two stakes on the cover. The titles were in Italian. ââ¬Å"That's not it, Molly. I'm not allowed to cash a check for that much. Look, I don't want any trouble, but if Howard sees you in here, he'll call the police.â⬠ââ¬Å"The police are hereâ⬠came a man's voice. Jenny looked up to see Theophilus Crowe towering behind Molly. ââ¬Å"Hi, Theo.â⬠Jenny liked Theo. He reminded her of Robert before he had quit drinking ââ¬â semitragic but good-natured. ââ¬Å"Can I help here?â⬠ââ¬Å"I really need to get some money,â⬠Molly said. ââ¬Å"For medicine.â⬠Jenny shot a look to the corner, where Val Riordan looked up from her notes with an expression of dread on her face. The psychiatrist obviously didn't want to be brought into this. Theo took the check gently from Molly and looked at it, then said to Jenny, ââ¬Å"It's a government check, Jenny. I'm sure it's good. Just this once? Medicine.â⬠He winked at Jenny from behind Molly's back. ââ¬Å"Howard will kill me when he sees it. Every time he looks at the espresso machine, he mutters something about spawn of evil.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'll back you up. Tell him it was in the interest of public safety.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, okay. You're lucky we're busy today and I have the cash to spare.â⬠Jenny handed Molly a pen. ââ¬Å"Just endorse it.â⬠Molly signed the check with a flourish and handed it over. Jenny counted out the bills on the counter. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠Molly said. Then to Theo, ââ¬Å"Thanks. Hey, you want a collector's edition of Warrior Babes?â⬠She held the videotape out to him. ââ¬Å"Uh, no thanks, Molly. I can't accept gratuities.â⬠Jenny craned her neck to look at the cover of the tape. ââ¬Å"It's in Italian, but you can figure it out,â⬠Molly said. Theo shook his head and smiled. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠Molly said. ââ¬Å"Gotta go.â⬠She turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Theo staring at her back. ââ¬Å"I guess she really was in movies,â⬠Jenny said. ââ¬Å"Did you see the picture on the cover?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nope,â⬠Theo said. ââ¬Å"Amazing. Did she look like that?â⬠Theo shrugged. ââ¬Å"Thanks for taking her check, Jenny. I'll find a seat. Just some coffee and an English muffin.â⬠ââ¬Å"Any luck finding the Plotznik kid?â⬠Theo shook his head as he walked away. Gabe Skinner barked once to warn the Food Guy that he was about to collide with the crazy woman, but it came a little too late and, as usual, the dense but good-hearted Food Guy didn't get the message. Skinner had finally talked the Food Guy into stopping work and going to get something to eat. Catching rats and hiking around in the mud was fun, but eating was important. Gabe, covered with mud to the knees and burrs to the shoulder, was head down, digging in his backpack for his wallet as he approached H.P.'s Cafe. Coming out, Molly was counting her money, not looking at all where she was going. She heard Skinner bark just as they conked heads. ââ¬Å"Ouch, excuse me,â⬠Gabe said, rubbing his head. ââ¬Å"I wasn't watching where I was going.â⬠Skinner took the opportunity to sniff Molly's crotch. ââ¬Å"Nice dog,â⬠Molly said. ââ¬Å"Did he produce B movies in his last life?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry.â⬠Gabe grabbed Skinner by the collar and pulled him away. Molly folded her money and stuffed it into the waistband of her tights. ââ¬Å"Hey, you're the biologist, huh?â⬠ââ¬Å"That's me.â⬠ââ¬Å"How many grams of protein in a sow bug?â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"A sow bug. You know, roly-polies, pill bugs ââ¬â gray, lotsa legs, designed to curl up and die?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, I know what a sow bug is.â⬠ââ¬Å"How many grams of protein in one?â⬠ââ¬Å"I have no idea.â⬠ââ¬Å"Could you find out?â⬠ââ¬Å"I suppose I could.â⬠ââ¬Å"Good,â⬠Molly said. ââ¬Å"I'll call you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bye.â⬠Molly ruffled Skinner's ears as she walked off. Gabe stood there for a second, distracted from his research for the first time in thirty-six hours. ââ¬Å"What the hell?â⬠Skinner wagged his tail to say, ââ¬Å"Let's eat.â⬠Dr. Val Val Riordan watched the lanky constable coming through the restaurant toward her. She wasn't ready to be official, that's why she'd taken herself out to breakfast in the first place ââ¬â that and she didn't want to face her as-sistant Chloe and her newfound nymphomania. She was months, no, years behind on her professional journals, and she'd packed a briefcase full of them in hope of skimming a few over coffee before her appointments began. She tried to hide behind a copy of Pusher: The American Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacological Practice, but the constable just kept coming. ââ¬Å"Dr. Riordan, do you have a minute?â⬠ââ¬Å"I suppose.â⬠She gestured to the chair across from her. Theo sat down and dove right in. ââ¬Å"Are you sure that Bess Leander never said anything about problems with her marriage? Fights? Joseph coming home late? Anything?â⬠ââ¬Å"I told you before. I can't talk about it.â⬠Theo took a dollar out of his pocket and slid it across the table. ââ¬Å"Take this.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠ââ¬Å"I want you to be my therapist. I want the same patient confidentiality that you're giving Bess Leander. Even though that privilege isn't supposed to extend beyond the grave. I'm hiring you as my therapist.â⬠ââ¬Å"For a dollar? I'm not a lawyer, Constable Crowe. I don't have to accept you as a patient. And payment has nothing to do with it.â⬠Val was willing him to go away. She had tried to bend people to her will since she was a child. She'd spoken to her therapist about it during her residency. Go away. ââ¬Å"Fine, take me as a patient. Please.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not taking any new patients.â⬠ââ¬Å"One session, thirty seconds long. I'm your patient. I promise you'll want to hear what I have to say in session.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theo, have you ever addressed, well, your substance abuse problem?â⬠It was a snotty and unprofessional thing to say, but Crowe wasn't exactly being professional either. ââ¬Å"Does that mean I'm your patient?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sure, okay, thirty seconds.â⬠ââ¬Å"Last night I saw Joseph Leander engaging in sexual relations with a young woman in the park.â⬠Theo folded his hands and sat back. ââ¬Å"Your thoughts?â⬠Jenny couldn't believe she'd heard it right. She hadn't meant to, she was just delivering an English muffin when the gossip bomb hit her unprepared. Bess Leander, not even cold in the grave, and her straitlaced Presbyterian husband was doing it with some bimbo in the park? She paused as if checking her tables, waited for a second, then slid the muffin in front of Theo. ââ¬Å"Can I bring you anything else?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not right now,â⬠Theo said. Jenny looked at Val Riordan and decided that whatever she needed right now was not on the menu. Val was sitting there wide-eyed, as if someone had slapped her with a dead mackerel. Jenny backed away from the table. She couldn't wait for Betsy to come in to relieve her for the lunch shift. Betsy always waited on Joseph Leander when he came in the cafe and made comments about him being the only guy with two children who had never been laid. She'd be blown away. Betsy, of course, already knew. Gabe Gabe tied Skinner up outside and entered the cafe to find all the tables oc-cupied. He spotted Theophilus Crowe sitting at a four-top with a woman that he didn't know. Gabe debated inviting himself to their table, then de-cided it would be better to approach Theo under the pretense of a rat news update and hope for an invitation. Gabe pulled his laptop out of his shoulder bag as he approached the table. ââ¬Å"Theo, you won't believe what I found out last night.â⬠Theo looked up. ââ¬Å"Hi, Gabe. Do you know Val Riordan? She's our local psychiatrist.â⬠Gabe offered his hand to the woman and she took it without looking away from his muddy boots. ââ¬Å"Sorry,â⬠Gabe said. ââ¬Å"I've been in the field all day. Nice to meet you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Gabe's a biologist. He has a lab up at the weather station.â⬠Gabe was feeling uncomfortable now. The woman hadn't said a word. She was attractive in a made-up sort of way, but she seemed a little out of things, stunned perhaps. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry to interrupt. We can talk later, Theo.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, sit down. You don't mind, do you, Val? We can finish our session later. I think I still have twenty seconds on the books.â⬠ââ¬Å"That's fine,â⬠Val said, seeming to come out of her haze. ââ¬Å"Maybe you'll be interested in this,â⬠Gabe said. He slipped into an empty chair and pushed his laptop in front of Val. ââ¬Å"Look at this.â⬠Like many sci-entists, Gabe was oblivious to the fact that no one gave a rat's ass about research unless it could be expressed in terms of dollars. ââ¬Å"Green dots?â⬠Val said. ââ¬Å"No, those are rats.â⬠ââ¬Å"Funny, they look like green dots.â⬠ââ¬Å"This is a topographical map of Pine Cove. These are my tagged rats. See the divergence? These ten that didn't move the other night when the others did?â⬠Val looked to Theo for an explanation. ââ¬Å"Gabe tracks rats with microchips in them,â⬠Theo said. ââ¬Å"It's only one of the things I do. Mostly, I count dead things on the beach.â⬠ââ¬Å"Fascinating work,â⬠Val said with no attempt to hide her contempt. ââ¬Å"Yeah, it's great,â⬠Gabe said. Then to Theo, ââ¬Å"Anyway, these ten rats didn't move with the others.â⬠ââ¬Å"Right, you told me this. You thought they might be dead.â⬠ââ¬Å"They weren't, at least the six of them that I found weren't. It wasn't death that stopped them, it was sex.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"I live-trapped twenty of the group of rats that moved, but when I went to find the group that hadn't, I didn't have to trap them. There were three pairs, all engaged in coitus.â⬠ââ¬Å"So what made the others move?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know.â⬠ââ¬Å"But the other ones were, uh, mating?â⬠ââ¬Å"I watched one pair for an hour. They did it a hundred and seventeen times.â⬠ââ¬Å"In an hour? Rats can do that?â⬠ââ¬Å"They can, but they don't.â⬠ââ¬Å"But you said they did.â⬠ââ¬Å"It's an anomaly. But all three pairs were doing it. One of the females had died and the male was still going at her when I found them.â⬠Theo's face was becoming strained with the effort of trying to figure out what in the hell Gabe was trying to tell him, and why he was telling him in the first place. ââ¬Å"What does that mean?â⬠ââ¬Å"I have no idea,â⬠Gabe said. ââ¬Å"I don't know why there was a mass evacuation of the large group, and I don't know why the smaller group stayed in one place copulating.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, thanks for sharing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Food and sex,â⬠Gabe said. ââ¬Å"Maybe you should eat something, Gabe.â⬠Theo signaled for the waitress. ââ¬Å"What do you mean, food and sex?â⬠Val asked. ââ¬Å"All behavior is related to obtaining food and sex,â⬠Gabe said. ââ¬Å"How Freudian.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, Darwinian, actually.â⬠Val leaned forward and Gabe caught a whiff of her perfume. She actually seemed interested now. ââ¬Å"How can you say that? Behavior is much more complex than that.â⬠ââ¬Å"You think so?â⬠ââ¬Å"I know so. And whatever this is, this radio rat study of yours proves it.â⬠She swiveled the screen of the laptop so they all could see it. ââ¬Å"You have six rats that were engaged in sex, but if I have this straight, you have, well, a lot of rats that just took off for no reason at all. Right?â⬠ââ¬Å"There was a reason, I just don't know it yet.â⬠ââ¬Å"But it wasn't food and it obviously wasn't sex.â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know yet. I suppose they could have been exposed to television violence.â⬠Theo was sitting back and watching now, enjoying two people with three decades of education between them puffing up like schoolyard bullies. ââ¬Å"I'm a psychiatrist, not a psychologist. Our discipline has moved more toward physiological causes for behavior over the last thirty years, or hadn't you heard?â⬠Val Riordan was actually grinning now. ââ¬Å"I'm aware of that. I'm having the brain chemistry worked up on animals from both groups to see if there's a neurochemical explanation.â⬠ââ¬Å"How do you do that again?â⬠Theo asked. ââ¬Å"You grind up their brains and analyze the chemicals,â⬠Gabe said. ââ¬Å"That's got to hurt,â⬠Theo said. Val Riordan laughed. ââ¬Å"I only wish I could diagnose my patients that way. Some of them anyway.â⬠Val Val Riordan couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed herself, but she suspected it was when she'd attended the Neiman-Marcus sale in San Francisco two years ago. Food and sex indeed. This guy was so naive. But still, she hadn't seen anyone so passionate about pure research since med school, and it was nice to think about psychiatry in terms other than finan-cial. She found herself wondering how Gabe Fenton would look in a suit, after a shower and a shave, after he'd been boiled to kill the parasites. Not bad, she thought. Gabe said, ââ¬Å"I can't seem to identify any outside stimulus for this behavior, but I have to eliminate the possibility that it's something chemical or envir-onmental. If it's affecting the rats, it might be affecting other species too. I've seen some evidence of that.â⬠Val thought about the wave of horniness that seemed to have washed over all of her patients in the last two days. ââ¬Å"Could it be in the water, do you think? Something that might affect us?â⬠ââ¬Å"Could be. If it's chemical, it would take longer to affect a mammal as large as a human. You two haven't seen anything unusual in the last few days, have you?â⬠Theo nearly spit his coffee out. ââ¬Å"This town's a bug-house.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not allowed to talk about my patients specifically,â⬠Val said. She was shaken. Of course there was some weird behavior. She'd caused it, hadn't she, by taking fifteen hundred people off of their medication at once? She had to get out of here. ââ¬Å"But in general, Theo is right.â⬠ââ¬Å"I am?â⬠Theo said. ââ¬Å"He is?â⬠Gabe said. Jenny had returned to the table to fill their coffees. ââ¬Å"Sorry I overheard, but I'd have to agree with Theo too.â⬠They all looked at her, then at each other. Val checked her watch. ââ¬Å"I've got to get to an appointment. Gabe, I'd like to hear the results of the brain chemistry test.â⬠ââ¬Å"You would?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠Val put some money on the table and Theo picked it up and handed it back to her, along with the dollar he'd put there earlier for her fee. ââ¬Å"I need to talk to you about that other matter, Val.â⬠ââ¬Å"Call me. I don't know if I can help though. Bye.â⬠Val left the cafe actually looking forward to seeing her patients, if for no other reason than to imagine grinding up each of their brains. Anything to address the responsibility of driving an entire town crazy. But perhaps by driving them a little crazy, she could save some of them from self-destruction: not a bad reason for going to work. Gabe ââ¬Å"I've got to go too,â⬠Theo said, standing up. ââ¬Å"Gabe, should I have the county test the water or something? I have to go into San Junipero to the county building today anyway.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not yet. I can do a general toxins and heavy metals test. I do them all the time for the frog population studies.â⬠ââ¬Å"You wanna walk out with me?â⬠ââ¬Å"I have to order something to go for Skinner.â⬠ââ¬Å"Didn't you say that you had ten rats that diverged from the pack?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, but I could only find six.â⬠ââ¬Å"What happened to the other four?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know. They just disappeared. Funny, these chips are nearly indestructible too. Even if the animals are dead, I should be able to pick them up with the satellites.â⬠ââ¬Å"Out of range maybe?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not a chance, the coverage is over two hundred miles. More if I look for them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then where did they go?â⬠ââ¬Å"They last showed up down by the creek. Near the Fly Rod Trailer Court.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're kidding. That's where the Plotznik kid was last seen.â⬠ââ¬Å"You want to see the map?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I believe you. I've got to go.â⬠Theo turned to leave. Gabe caught him by the shoulder. ââ¬Å"Theo, is, uhâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Is Val Riordan single?â⬠ââ¬Å"Divorced.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you think she likes me?â⬠Theo shook his head. ââ¬Å"Gabe, I understand. I spend too much time alone too.â⬠ââ¬Å"What? I was just asking.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'll see you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey, Theo, you look, uh, well, more alert today.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not stoned, you mean?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry, I didn't meanâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"It's okay, Gabe. Thanks, I think.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hang tough.â⬠Jenny As Jenny passed Estelle Boyet's table, she heard the old Black gentleman say, ââ¬Å"We don't need to tell nobody nothin'. Been fifty years since I seen that thing. It probably done gone back to the sea.â⬠ââ¬Å"Still,â⬠Estelle said, ââ¬Å"there's a little boy missing. What if the two are connected?â⬠ââ¬Å"Ain't nobody ever called you a crazy nigger, did they?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not that I can remember.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, they have me. For some twenty years after I talked about that thing the last time. I ain't sayin' nothin' to no one. It's our secret, girl.â⬠ââ¬Å"I like it when you call me girl,â⬠Estelle said. Jenny went off to the kitchen, trying to put the morning together in her mind, pieces of conversations as surreal as a Dali jigsaw puzzle. There was definitely something going on in Pine Cove.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
No topic Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5
No topic - Coursework Example The lector also mentions that utilitarianism is very close to hedonism, according to which, getting some pleasure is the main goal of life. Thus, on the other hand utilitarianism is a denial of sublime motives, underestimation of a role of spiritual interests of a person. The theorists of utilitarianism followed the tradition of hedonism in ethics. Utilitarizm results from so-called ââ¬Å"human natureâ⬠, from natural aspiration to feel pleasure and to avoid suffering. The choice of behavior is defined by calculation of the benefits and losses, which various acts may result in. Anyway, the concept of utilitarianism means submission of all actions to egoistical calculation, to obtaining benefit, advantage. Thus, utilitarianism has serious limitations. The lector provides an example when a person is accused of committing crime because the greatest number of people will be happy because of that no matter if he is guilty or
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Customer Service Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Customer Service - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear thatà managements of these agencies are often turning to human resource training and technology to deliver services fast and competently to achieve satisfactions for all queries, complaints or inquiries. Customers have been accustomed to attention from the private sector, and they now want the same from their government agencies. Government agencies have adopted standards of measuring citizensââ¬â¢ satisfaction in responding to their needs through electronic or manual reviews.This study highlights that there has been a shift in the management systems from an emphasis on product quality to Total Quality Management for customer satisfaction.à This change focuses on continual improvement of organizationââ¬â¢s output. Quality of outputs in this case very much includes all products and services and the processes that are involved in the production of the products or services. The shift is intended for the sole purpose of meeting, if not surpassing cu stomer expectations. Customer service provision requires the co-operation of all levels of management within the organization.à Most organizations in the world today are registered with different standardization agencies locally or internationally such as The International Customer Service Institute (TICSI) or the International Standard Organization ISO 900 series.à The ââ¬ËSoftââ¬â¢ aspect of total quality management focuses on the principles that guide organizations.... The shift is intended for the sole purpose of meeting, if not surpassing customer expectations. Customer service provision requires the co-operation of all levels of management within the organization. Achievement of excellent customer service is guided by tools and principles. The tools are the so-called ââ¬Ëhardââ¬â¢ aspects of customer service. They include the analyzing systems of an organizationââ¬â¢s performance using a wide array of analysis tools and the presentation of these in a way that all the stakeholders using the information can understand that when recommendations are applied, it would lead to better results. Display of organizationsââ¬â¢ performance could be represented in various ways including tabulation, graphs, polygons and charts. Statistical analysis of results is a common method used to evaluate performance of output through, mean, mode, probability analysis, critical path analysis and variance and correlation analysis. When these tools are used, q uantitative data is displayed to help in controlling the output be it products or services. Most organizations in the world today are registered with different standardization agencies locally or internationally such as The International Customer Service Institute (TICSI) or the International Standard Organization ISO 900 series. These set up standards of different kinds that aim at improving excellence in customer service by having a policy that focuses on quality improvement. Results from statistical analysis should be checked against these standards, and the necessary areas of improvement are identified. The ââ¬ËSoftââ¬â¢ aspect of total quality management focuses on the principles that guide organizations. Emphasis is put in
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Scattering or Sowing of Seeds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Scattering or Sowing of Seeds - Essay Example Digging into the definition of "collective memory" it is evident that past experiences of an individual in a society influences the experiences of others in the same society and elsewhere. Collective memory is defined as the shared memory that can be passed on and also constructed by the group or modern society. (Esquith, 1996, P. 78) The definition further predisposes that it s the memory that a community possesses of its own history, lessons and learning it consciously. The tendency of bringing the entire institutional fabric which is created during such periods (when such memory occurs) impacts neglectively on the role of collective memory. It does not play a crucial role in the processes of political change. It leaves a mark on the daily political practices once the new regime becomes established. Collective memory leaves traces of the past memory in the political learning systems but to some extend this is unavoidable. (Fabre, 1994, P.29) Most of the studies under this topic focus on the effects of trauma that is produced by the memory of those bad times, war for example. Most of the scholars indicate that the war left an indelible mark on the nation. This could or can affect and undermine the peaceful nature of the society at critical moments. Collective memory instills lessons in the individuals' life and when it comes to political learning, chances are that political change may be effective. Political learning is the process through which people modify their political beliefs and tactics as a result of severe crisis, frustrations and dramatic changes in the environment. (Fabre, 1994, P. 33) This phenomenon is based on the fact that beliefs are not fixed immutably in childhood and that they are affected by political events. Political learning represents a process of cognitive change which is key to democratic reconstruction. In the African American culture has a history of struggle. African American struggled to succeed and be free, equal and affirmed. These experiences have impacted positively in some aspects. Most of them have positive sense of racial identity and spiritual strength because during the slavery period, the spirit was vital for survival. It was in the open that colour was a major determinant of who would be a slave and who would be free. (Walton, 1997, P. 132) The spiritual strength of the African - American was also derived from the physical and psychological struggles of slavery. They value self-love and love for others as methods through which people can enhance their personal lives. Through enhancing the lives of people, political change would be evident. Despite the experiences that they had gone through, they still had a great sense of accommodating change. (Walton, 1997, P. 34) Collective memory comes about through collective attitudes and behaviors. These are created and shared through common experiences and communication among a group of people. In the case of the African American, the slavery attitudes and experiences were eminent. The use of collective memory as a political socialization agent was a good target to the bringing of new knowledge to the people through political learning. It had a role of changing perceptions and attitudes of a group of people who had been exposed to hard kind of life. This tool captures the interests of researchers and scholars in social, psychological memory, sociology and anthropology. Research has it that individuals who were born between 1940 and 1960 are
Monday, August 26, 2019
Integrate technology lesson plan into my middle school PE class Assignment
Integrate technology lesson plan into my middle school PE class - Assignment Example W. Woodbury Middle School (2012). The integration of digital bulletin boards would be directed towards engaging the requirements and objectives of International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for technological competencies in students. Moreover, students earn points while undertaking physical activities of their choice and interest, which adds up to their overall performance. Hence, higher order skills remain essential in providing students the opportunity to live productive lifestyles and learn effectively in the increasingly digital world and evolving global society. In the end, integration of technological competencies into PE class activities makes a difference through the mastery of essential skills for becoming productive adults in society. The incorporation of technology competencies remains increasingly significant for students preparing to live, work and contribute to the social material of the society according to ISTE (2007) objectives. Firstly, the course objectives would be to stimulate collaboration and cohesiveness in students during off school hours. Secondly, to enable students communicate through digital means in arranging and informing other students of group workout schedules, personal reflections, and positive feedback. Thirdly, to enhance the ability of students to stay connected along with possessing various ideas in fulfilling the ââ¬ËWeekend Warriorââ¬â¢ program or take home PE sessions. Lastly, to engage the requirements of the National Education Technology Standards for Students on Collaboration and Communication in integrating appropriate technology competencies under ISTE guidelines. Furthermore, these course objectives would respond to the identified needs based on technology standards suc h as the need to acquire and develop higher order skills, personal reflection, sense of community and collaboration. These needs would be fulfilled beyond the normal PE classroom
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Why is it important for educators to understand how to interpret test Assignment
Why is it important for educators to understand how to interpret test scores - Assignment Example Through this objective and measurable assessment, educators can then device effective methods for intervention to improve the studentââ¬â¢s performance and then retested again to see if the intervention was effective. Interpreting test scores will also give educatorââ¬â¢s the unique insight and ability to assess the efficacy of their own teaching method whether it has achieved its goal by comparing the actual scores of its intended audience to the their objective. It will also allow them to evaluate if the tools they use for teaching serve its purpose. This insight which test score interpretation provides enable educatorââ¬â¢s to address any identified any weakness both in their teaching method and curricula and provides them the opportunity to improve. Thus, it is it important for educators to understand how to interpret test scores not only to rank or grade students, but more importantly, determine if their methods, tools and their selves are effective as educators and that their tools and methods serve the purpose of educating their
Saturday, August 24, 2019
AP - Art History eo 7 forum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
AP - Art History eo 7 forum - Essay Example The neoclassical work painting by Jacques-Louis David indicates excellent use of colors and the work is contrastingly well polished and distinguishable. On contrary, the romantic paintings by Eugene Delacroix reveals poor use of colors. The brushwork is also not polished thus prompting the eventual derivation of contrastingly undesirable work. The exposure of the death of Socrates by David, Jacques-Louis exhibits well defined and refined piece of work and is likely to allure love by many paint art lovers. The drawings also present the desirable picture and tone desired by the viewer. From fig a, it is observable that varying colors have been applied. As compared to romantic drawing by Delacroix, Eugà ¨ne- Mad Woman, 1822 who has utilized only two or three blends of colors. Delacroix, Eugà ¨ne Mad Woman, 1822 (romantic) drawing is also rugged and does not appreciate appealing drawing. Delacroix Eugà ¨ne- Mad Woman, 1822 is very lose and does not appeal to the eye. Delacroix also failed to not the presence of the background as presented excellently by Jacques on The Death of
Friday, August 23, 2019
Differences between b2b marketing and b2c marketing Essay
Differences between b2b marketing and b2c marketing - Essay Example You need to distinguish first whom your target client is, then evaluate why this specific client needs to heed your point. From that point, the promoting exercises take center stage. While enthusiastic variables have substantial influence in a shoppers choice to buy an item, B2B acquiring choices is less passionate and more errand-situated. Protracted and complex deals cycles help to develop solid B2B vender purchaser connections and brand unwaveringness contrasted with B2C marketing. Nonetheless, B2C and B2B marketing targets both reflect the essential standards of the marketing blend. An authoritative objective of B2C promoting is to change over clients into consistent purchasers as commandingly and dependably as could be permitted. Adjei and Clark (2010) highlighted that B2C organizations utilize additional marketing exercises such as coupons, showcases, storefronts (both physical and online), and presents to allure the target business sector to purchase products. B2C promoting battles are focused on the means of trade that have a short span, and the urge to catch the clients advantage quickly. These crusades regularly offer exceptional arrangements, rebates, or tickets, which could be utilized both on the internet and as a part of the store. Case in point, the objective of using an email address battle to advertise a B2C organization is to acquire shoppers to purchase the item promptly. The address will direct buyers to a greeting page on the location intended to offer the item and make buying simple by coordinating the shopping truck and evaluation page that l ands them into the stream of the exchange. Anything beyond a few clicks will make the clients be prone to relinquish the shopping truck. One fascinating part of B2C advertising, nonetheless, is that numerous organizations have understood the significance of faithfulness. In spite of the fact that the objective of B2B promoting is to change prospects into
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